PoC Server Unicast Multicast Delivery for Large Group Calls

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC) systems do not effectively support large group calling and fail to optimize network resource usage, leading to suboptimal user experiences and network congestion.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing servers that manage PoC call sessions by performing unicast and multicast delivery of control and voice messages, employing staggered large group call delivery methods based on participant location and network access type, and dynamically adjusting codec data rates to optimize network resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If unicast delivery is used for all participants in large group calling, then each participant receives individualized service, but network resource consumption increases significantly and network congestion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice delivery reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments participants into different groups based on their location and network access type. Within each segment, multicast delivery is used to efficiently reach multiple participants simultaneously, while unicast is used only where necessary. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by applying different delivery methods to different segments rather than using a single method for all participants.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically selects between unicast and multicast delivery methods based on real-time network conditions, participant location, and access type. The system can switch delivery methods adaptively, using multicast when efficient and unicast when necessary, thereby optimizing network resource usage while maintaining service reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of energy

If multicast delivery is used for all participants, then network resource efficiency improves, but service quality deteriorates for participants with different network access types

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenetwork resource consumptionVSAvoidservice delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different delivery methods (unicast or multicast) to different local contexts based on participant network access type and location. Instead of using a uniform multicast approach for all participants, the system tailors the delivery method to each local group's characteristics, ensuring optimal service quality for each segment while maintaining overall network efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Quantity of substance

If traditional PoC systems support large group calling, then group size increases, but network congestion and resource exhaustion occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of participantsVSAvoidnetwork resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides large groups into smaller segments based on location and network access type, enabling efficient multicast delivery within each segment. This segmentation allows the system to support a large total number of participants across multiple segments while consuming network resources efficiently within each segment, avoiding the resource exhaustion that would occur with traditional approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Reliability

If codec data rate is increased to improve voice quality, then user experience improves, but network resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice qualityVSAvoidnetwork bandwidth usage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent dynamically adjusts codec data rate parameters based on network conditions and participant characteristics. By changing the data rate parameter adaptively rather than using a fixed high rate, the system maintains acceptable voice quality while optimizing network bandwidth usage to prevent congestion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3092846B1Optimized methods for large group calling using unicast and multicast transport bearers for push-to-talk-over-cellular (POC)
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 KODIAK NETWORKS INC
  • EP3092846B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3092846B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3092846B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for optimizing large group calling using unicast and multicast transport bearers for Push-to-talk-over-Cellular (PoC). One or more servers interface to a wireless communications network to perform advanced voice services for mobile units therein, including the PoC call session. The servers and mobile units communicate with each other using control messages, and the servers switch voice messages between the mobile units. At least one of the servers manages the PoC call session by acting as an arbitrator, and controls the sending of the control messages and the voice messages to and from the mobile units. The server performs unicast and multicast delivery of the control messages and the voice messages to and from the mobile units, thereby enabling large group calling involving a large number of participants with optimized use of network and server resources.